A Fabulous Disaster: From the Garage to Madison Square Garden, the Hard Way
Gary Holt
Apr 2025 · Hachette UK
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About this ebook
From prolific metal guitarist and songwriter for Exodus (and formerly Slayer) Gary Holt comes a deeply personal memoir of his "destruction-laden" life, along with a firsthand account of the genesis of the Thrash Metal scene, from its origins in the Bay Area to its world domination.
As the guitarist and primary songwriter of Exodus and one of the originators of heavy metal, Gary Holt watched as his peers—Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax—soared to superstardom. As his fellow artists amassed millions of fans and record sales, Exodus' albums received critical recognition and inspired generations of listeners—but struggled to reach the same heights of success, as the band was plagued by years of bad management, bad luck, and bad decisions.
A Fabulous Disaster follows our narrator through the highest of highs and lowest of lows as he and his bandmates juggle major label contracts, MTV-sponsored tours and festivals, growing addictions to alcohol and meth, and the loss of key founding members. Ultimately, after the tragic death of one of his closest friends and former bandmates—Holt decides to save himself. Newly sober and determined to resurrect his career, he commits himself to Exodus, pushing the band to new heights.
An "unadulterated odyssey through decades of insanity," punctuated by Holt's unique insight and knack for storytelling, A Fabulous Disaster is a thrill ride from start to finish. His story proves that redemption—even from the pits of rock 'n' roll excess—is always possible.
As the guitarist and primary songwriter of Exodus and one of the originators of heavy metal, Gary Holt watched as his peers—Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax—soared to superstardom. As his fellow artists amassed millions of fans and record sales, Exodus' albums received critical recognition and inspired generations of listeners—but struggled to reach the same heights of success, as the band was plagued by years of bad management, bad luck, and bad decisions.
A Fabulous Disaster follows our narrator through the highest of highs and lowest of lows as he and his bandmates juggle major label contracts, MTV-sponsored tours and festivals, growing addictions to alcohol and meth, and the loss of key founding members. Ultimately, after the tragic death of one of his closest friends and former bandmates—Holt decides to save himself. Newly sober and determined to resurrect his career, he commits himself to Exodus, pushing the band to new heights.
An "unadulterated odyssey through decades of insanity," punctuated by Holt's unique insight and knack for storytelling, A Fabulous Disaster is a thrill ride from start to finish. His story proves that redemption—even from the pits of rock 'n' roll excess—is always possible.
Ratings and reviews
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Scott Thomson
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April 30, 2025
crushing 🤘
About the author
Gary Holt is the guitarist and main songwriter for the heavy metal band Exodus and was a member of Slayer from 2011 to 2019. He’s based in the Bay Area, California.
Adem Tepedelen is an award-winning journalist covering metal for over thirty years for Decibel, Revolver, Rollingstone.com, and many others. He’s written and cowritten numerous books, including The Brewtal Truth to Extreme Beers and Mud Ride: A Messy Trip Through the Grunge Explosion (with Mudhoney guitarist Steve Turner).
Adem Tepedelen is an award-winning journalist covering metal for over thirty years for Decibel, Revolver, Rollingstone.com, and many others. He’s written and cowritten numerous books, including The Brewtal Truth to Extreme Beers and Mud Ride: A Messy Trip Through the Grunge Explosion (with Mudhoney guitarist Steve Turner).
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